Alkaline battery opinions wanted [RE-wrenches]

[Rob Harlan]

I got some refurbished 30 year-old NiFe batteries from AEE Solar and lived
with them for twelve years (total life = 42 years) until a few started
developing internal shorts. I disposed of them by taking the electrolyte
(separately) to a ³Hazardous Waste Day² drop off facility.  The cases were
then accepted for metal scrap at the local recycling center.  There were no
disposal charges.

Their exceptionally long life, lack of heavy metals, and ability to be
cycled down to flat with no damage  are wonderful features which made their
inefficiency acceptable.  They do need to be bulk charged at 17 volts so
they need a higher than usual array voltage config and the alkaline
electrolyte is as dangerous as acid.

I am not sure that they are available any more (they should be IMHO).  There
were some imports from Hungary and China available a few years back but
there were quality control issues.
Rob
Rob Harlan
Executive Director
Solar Energy Society of Canada
Northern Alberta Chapter



On 5/23/08 8:05 PM, "Warren Lauzon" <windsun at wind-sun.com> wrote:

> 
> NiFe are not especially hazardous compared to Cadmium, they usually use
> sodium hydroxide (lye) as at least part of the electrolyte though, so should
> be treated accordingly.
> 
> Not sure what their recycle status is, as I recall they are only about 2-4%
> nickel, but it has been 15+ years since I worked with them.
> 
> ..............................................................................
> ....................
> ..............................................................................
> ....................
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Allan Sindelar" <allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 4:03 PM
> Subject: RE: Alkaline battery opinions wanted [RE-wrenches]
> 
> 
>> 
>> Warren,
>> Your point leads me to a related question to put out to the list:
>> We have a customer with a set of nickel-iron batteries to recycle. What
>> should I know before accepting these? They aren't hazardous like cadmium,
>> but what else should I know? Will our normal lead-acid recycler be able to
>> receive them (asking here before I ask them...)?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Allan at Positive Energy
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Warren Lauzon [mailto:windsun at wind-sun.com]
>> 
>> We replaced an old NiCad system (with the pocket plates) a few years ago,
>> and the cost of getting rid of the Cadmium batteries was more than the
>> cost
>> of the new Surrette batteries, since Cd is so hazardous.
>> 
>> 
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